A helicopter carrying a Santa Claus to distribute gifts at a Christmas party came under fire when it flew over a Rio shantytown, authorities said today.

The chopper was hit by two rifle shots Sunday, but no one was injured and the aircraft returned safely to its base, police inspector Aldari Vianna said by telephone. Gang members apparently attacked the helicopter thinking it belonged to the police.

It's not unusual for gangs to shoot at police helicopters in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most violent cities in the world, with a homicide rate of about 50 per 100,000 people.

The Santa Claus, who did not want to identify himself, was later transported by car to the party -- for children in another poor neighborhood -- where he distributed about 700 gifts.

"As a Santa Claus, I was very sad to see the children frustrated," he said, according to the Agencia Estado news service. "They were expecting Santa to arrive by helicopter and that didn't happen."